I think we can all agree that online school sucked. The repetitiveness was nearly unbearable. Although COVID-19 resulted in a major learning setback, there was one good thing that came out of the online environment that completely changed how in-person school functions today: personal laptops.

Personal laptops make school so much easier. That planner that I bought in September? I never use it. Instead, I’ve shifted towards an all-digital agenda. How about the five different notebooks I used to cycle through? They’re not necessary! Everything is in one place with easy and instant access. Google Drive is my new best friend.  

Using computers during class no longer takes a solid 10 minutes while waiting for everyone to log on. Logging on to a computer takes less than a minute, allowing more time to work on your assignment. In addition to fast log-on times, personal laptops make it so much faster to find the document that you need. With all of your logins saved, you can easily access canvas, download your assignment, and upload it to Word or Google. 

My favorite part about personal laptops is that note-taking is much more efficient and more fun. Never underestimate the power of a shared Google Doc in a class where there is a 90- minute lecture every period. The notes that are produced when four people are taking notes at the same time turn out to be the ultimate study guide.

Lastly, throw out any worries of boredom when you have your own laptop in class. After you finish your assignment (or even if you need a short break), it’s easy to access entertainment or communicate with others. Who knew that the snake game would become one of my most visited pages? Having access to all of your assignments at once also makes time management so much easier, and allows you to quickly finish that essay that’s due next period. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives of our online year. I think that it’s really important to take a step back and observe the few good things that came out of such an awful situation. The use of personal laptops might seem like a small change, but it’s something that I’m thankful for nonetheless.